Escarpment Crossing Study

This study was initiated to review safe, efficient and appropriate movement of heavy truck traffic across the Niagara Escarpment.

The study found that none of the current escarpment crossings within the study area could safely and efficiently accommodate existing and future truck traffic.

The project team has recommended a series of short and long term projects to improve safety for all road users and allow built up areas to continue their development without the intrusive effects of regular large truck traffic.

Recommendations

In addition to safety and operational improvements along existing crossings the study came to two primary recommendations to address safety concerns along the escarpment.

The first recommendation focuses on Mountain Rd. and Mountain St. Both of these roadways carry heavy truck traffic through built-up community areas and there is very limited opportunity for enhancement of the roadways. The results of the study recommend transferring portions of these roadways to the local area municipalities, so that traffic restrictions can be put in place to discourage heavy truck use.

The second recommendation identifies the need for a new escarpment crossing along Bartlett Ave. in Grimsby. In order for this to happen a full Class Environmental Assessment would need to be undertaken to determine the exact alignment of this new roadway. Once this Class Environmental Assessment is initiated, residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the alignment and design features of the new roadway.

Road transfers are planned to occur following the implementation of Bartlett Ave. extension.

Maps

Background

In 1997, the Regions of Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara completed the Niagara Escarpment Crossing Study focusing on commercial truck traffic crossing the Niagara Escarpment.

The study looked at 14 existing escarpment crossings and their abilities to accommodate medium and heavy truck traffic.

The study recommended that there be three, evenly spaced, designated routes for trucks to cross the Escarpment: Centennial Parkway, Victoria Avenue, and a central route to be determined through Phases 3, 4 and 5 of the Class Environmental Assessment process.

Regional Council received the report in 1997 but implementation of the recommendations was put on hold pending completion of the Niagara Frontier Gateway Study and any subsequent studies (Mid-Peninsula Corridor) by the Ministry of Transportation.

In March 2014, Public Works Committee approved revising the terms of reference which will allow the project team to take a master plan approach to recommend a series of short and long term projects to address the problem.

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